Tension has engulfed Manso Akwasiso in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region following the death of a 20-year-old student of Komfo Anokye Senior High School, Evans Allotey, during a military-led operation against illegal mining.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, when military personnel reportedly arrived in three pickup vehicles to pursue suspected illegal miners.

According to residents, the soldiers fired live ammunition as the miners fled, and in the ensuing chaos, Evans allegedly fell into a deep mining pit and drowned.

Community members claim that fellow miners attempted to rescue him but were prevented from doing so after soldiers fired warning shots to disperse them.

At a press conference ahead of a protest organised by chiefs and residents, the Assembly Member for the area, Stephen Nsiah Kesse, condemned the conduct of the military, describing it as unacceptable.

He argued that the death was preventable, insisting that those present could have saved the student if they had not been forced back by gunfire.

Protesters later took to the streets, burning car tyres and wearing red armbands to demand a swift government investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Kesse further alleged misconduct by military personnel assigned to oversee a reclamation exercise at nearby Manso Nyankomase.

He claimed that some soldiers have been extorting money from miners and using excessive force during operations.

He called on the government to immediately investigate the matter, withdraw the military detachment to prevent further escalation, and hold any officers found culpable accountable.

The Chief of Akwasiso, Nana Kwakye Gyimah Yeboah II, also appealed to the government, the Inspector-General of Police, the Interior Minister and the District Chief Executive to intervene and prevent further harassment of residents.

Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.